In silence, in gossip, in humor, in music,So also in love, in bravery and victory;In all these and more does Man seek peace and joy.But happiness is within the soul! --Mankuthimma

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಕಿರುನೋಟಗಳು (Glimpses of Karnataka)

Old linguistic phase (850 - 1200 CE). Jain literature.

The contribution of Jains to Kannada literature has been extremely valuable. From the available prakrit, Sanskrit and
Kannada literature of Karnataka, the Jaina literature in these languages,
stands as the earliest. Kavirajamarga is the earliest available
writing of a complete literary work. It refers to many great poets,
authors and literary works that influenced it. So this means that
Kannada literature was rich and mature much before the time of Kavirajamarga.